We are currently staying here and are entering day 4 of a 7-day stay. First, I want to acknowledge that the resort itself is beautiful. The renovations that many previous reviewers mentioned appear to be complete. The rooms, grounds, and pool areas are all well maintained and look fantastic. If you are a couple traveling without children, this resort would likely be an excellent choice. Unfortunately, our experience as a family with young children has been disappointing. Our first concern was check-in. Check-in officially begins at 4:00 PM, but our room was not available until nearly 6:00 PM. Throughout that time, the only information we received was that the room was not yet ready. After a long travel day with two young children, that was not the best start to our vacation. Before arriving, we had already read reviews indicating that families would not have access to the Surf Club facilities, so we came prepared with toys and activities to keep our children entertained at the pool. We also make a conscious effort to be respectful of other guests by keeping our distance and ensuring our children are behaving appropriately. However, during the first three days of our stay, pool staff repeatedly approached us regarding normal children's pool activities: - No balls or toys that could be tossed in the pool. - No use of diving rings that sink to the bottom for children to retrieve. - No jumping into the pool. - At one point, a staff member told our son he was splashing too much.... in the middle of the pool. Individually, these may seem like small issues. Collectively, they have created the impression that families with children are tolerated rather than welcomed. The overall attitude we have encountered from some staff members has made us feel as though we should not be here at all. Marriott should consider one of two approaches: 1. If the intent is to cater primarily to adults, then position the resort accordingly rather than presenting it as family-friendly. 1. Alternatively, provide guests with access to neighboring Marriott properties, such as the Surf Club. At many other Marriott destinations—including Maui, where we have stayed multiple times—guests are able to enjoy amenities across adjacent Marriott resorts. Providing similar access here would create a much better experience for families. My family and I have stayed at Marriott properties for many years and have been approached several times about purchasing into the Vacation Club program. We had reached a point where we were seriously considering it. Unfortunately, this experience has made us reconsider. While the property itself is beautiful, the overall experience has left us feeling that Marriott's approach to families varies significantly from one resort to another. For couples, I would highly recommend this property. For families with young children, I would encourage you to carefully consider whether the atmosphere and policies are the right fit for your vacation.
